The latest Bracketology

Here is the latest addition from the Bracketology Blog: I swear Jason Moy has had the Fighting Sioux in every bracket but the North East Regional. I don't see the NCAA sending us anywhere but Minneapolis if the Gophers don't make the NCAA playoffs.

East Regional (Bridgeport)

15 Air Force vs. 1 Boston University
9 Yale vs. 6 Vermont

West Regional (Minneapolis)

16 Bemidji State vs. 2 Notre Dame
11 Miami vs. 7 North Dakota

Northeast Regional (Manchester)

13 St. Lawrence vs. 3 Denver
10 Cornell vs. 8 New Hampshire

Midwest Regional (Grand Rapids)

13 Minnesota-Duluth vs. 4 Michigan
12 Princeton vs. 5 Northeastern

Moron of the week.

Where do they find these people? Don't let this guy near a bridge or the IDS building. Actually this clown comments are hilarious and he is also my candidate for moron of the week. This skippy is probably one of these guys that will corner in the bathroom at the Xcel Energy Center to lecture you on horrible UND and North Dakota is while his team is sitting at home after the Gophers have missed the Final Five.

As I am stuck in traffic on 494 or I-94 I thank God that the biggest traffic jam I have been involved in lately is leaving the Alerus after a concert or a Sioux football game or Red River Valley Speedway after a World of Outlaws show.

I always laugh at these people who think North Dakota is such a horrible place but they sure find the way to Englestad Arena or happen to be everywhere in North Dakota come Duck and Pheasant hunting season. Thank God they also go home after hunting season is over.

voner 26--- Nice commentary. What else does North Dakota have? Nothing. Their entire claim to fame is college hockey. That's it, nothing else. College hockey ranks behind women's college volleyball in terms of TV and TV ratings, with no offense intended towards women's volleyball. Grand Forks is a God forsaken hell hole with absolutely nothing to do up there, that these people need to cry out for attention in any way they can find it. Unfortunately for them, the vast population of the US doesn't know college hockey even exists. It's really quite sad, the plight of the Flickertail fan.

posted by maxwell812 on Mar. 7, 09 at 8:42 AM |

The Slash that got Downie 20 games.

Someone made mention of Steve Downie getting suspended for 20 games for his slash on a linesman during a face off at center ice. You know, I dun no the video isn't that good but it appears that the ref was inadvertently hit by uber hack Steve Downie and received the suspension based on his preceding reputation.

Steve Downie sits again, this time for 20 games after slashing an AHL linesman during a Feb. 28 game against the Hershey Bears.

A member of the Norfolk Admirals, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Downie had been suspended indefinitely until being informed of yesterday's decision by the AHL. He is slated to return to the Norfolk lineup on April 11, although the Admirals are likely to miss the AHL playoffs.

Downie was assessed a game misconduct late in the third period of the Norfolk-Hershey game for deliberately striking an official with his stick. Admirals officials noted that the slash occurred before a faceoff and that Downie had meant to knock the stick out of the hands of an opposing player. Instead, Downie missed and struck the linesman.

Admirals general manager Mike Butters said his player was simply trying to knock the stick of the Bears player and - oops! - missed and struck Hamilton by accident.
(read the whole story here)

The Wheels are still coming off Part II.

I have been surfing some of the sites around the internet getting a feel for how things are going around the college hockey blogsphere and the Gopher fans are in full melt down. You have Gopher fans calling for Don Lucia's head. I can't imagine the University of Minnesota Firing a coach that has won 2 NCAA titles. I just doesn't seem possible.

Check out these examples of lynch mob type mentality. I mean I get it the Gopher fans are unhappy with the state of their team. (Example 1) (Example 2) (Example 3)

This post right here caught my eye it was over on Star Tribune.

Out with Lucia now!!!
Dear UofM AD....Your mens Hockey coach wins two titles with Woog's teams, can recruit any player in the country and we have this season? then finish it by loosing to a absolutely pathetic 1-18 Mich Tech team who score 6 on us?? His teams don't come close to ND's season for season and they don't have 20% the recruiting ability he's given?? Not to mention the all time worst upset in NCAA history to Holly Angels just a few years back?? This is coaching 100%, were not going anywhere with this "goody two shoes" clown....we need a tough, gritty authority figure who recruits the right players and gets them to show up and play like they can. We got no chance with him at the helm, zero...I wouldn't want him coaching my daughters teams...ok that was a lie, he'd be fine with girls. I've been sooo patient with this but now it's over...Imgane what Gwozdecky (Denver) or Hakstol (UND) could do with Gophs recruiting power? They already run circles around Goph's hockey teams operating from the north pole? If the AD fires the FB coach after a bad 1/2 at a bowl game whens he goanna show nuts it takes to do it again at the hockey rink? This is 100x's worse....incredibly pathetic, I feel bad for the players to be honest, and they're certainly accountable but c'mon...look at the teams and talent we have had....allstar teams year in year out and he cant do anything with em????? Please move on with him...no more Lucia.....Move on from the Grand Rapids alumni mafia and get with the times, not the 70's and 80's.

posted by azlizard99 on Mar. 6, 09 at 10:57 PM |

Sioux MacNaughton Cup Champions: Sioux 2 - Badgers 1

I included a picture of the MacNaughton Cup because it has been such a long time since we have seen it. It’s been four long years. Yep! The last time the Fighting Sioux had won the MacNaughton Cup Zach Parise was still playing for UND. I can’t wait to take a look at it again when it’s sitting in the lobby of REA.

So for the First time in four seasons the WCHA regular season champs reside in Grand Forks, ND. In case anyone is keeping score that is the 14th MacNaughton Cup that UND Fighting Sioux have won.

At the beginning of the season I had a conversation with a buddy of mine and we were discussing how the Sioux haven't won a MacNaughton cup or an NCAA title yet. Well we can mark that off the list, the Sioux got their cup. The mission for the Fighting Sioux is not complete, this is just one checkpoit on a long road trip.

Since Dave Hakstol has been the Coach of the Fighting Sioux his teams have progressively gotten better each season as he has built the UND program around players that reflect his personality; gritty, talented, modest and hard working. Now for their hard work the 2008-2009 Fighting Sioux will hang another banner from the REA rafters.


(Dave Hakstol's UND career coaching line)
2004–2005 North Dakota 25-15-5 13-12-3 5th NCAA Runner-up
2005–2006 North Dakota 29-16-1 16-12-0 t-4th NCAA semifinal
2006–2007 North Dakota 24-14-5 13-10-5 3rd NCAA semifinal
2007-2008 North Dakota 28-11-4 18-7-3 2nd NCAA semifinal
2008-2009 North Dakota 22-11-4 17-6-4 1st To be determined.

Box Score
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Period (20:00)
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WIS 1 - 0 6x6 Ben Grotting (3) (Patrick Johnson, Matt Thurber) 6:12
WIS (+): 14,10,12,17,4,G35 NDK (-): 9,10,14,24,22,G31
NDK-1 Joe Finley (2-Holding) WIS 0x1 7:03
WIS-1 Sean Dolan (2-Interference) NDK 0x1 10:54
WIS-2 Brendan Smith (2-Boarding) NDK 0x2 12:38

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WIS-3 Brendan Smith (2-Interference) NDK 0x3 6:26
NDK-2 Andrew Kozek (2-Tripping) WIS 0x2 16:41
NDK 1 - 1 5x6 SH Matt Watkins (7) (unassisted) 16:56
NDK (+): 20,11,5,2,G31 WIS (-): 9,21,24,7,2,G35

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Period (20:00)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NDK-3 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) WIS 0x3 6:24
WIS-4 Jamie McBain (2-Hooking) NDK 0x4 8:43
WIS-5 Sean Dolan (2-Interference) NDK 1x5 12:56
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP GW LL Chris VandeVelde (14) (Ryan Duncan, Chay Genoway) 14:01
NDK: 29,16,5,14,26,G31 WIS: 14,13,27,17,G35

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Game
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Sabres prospect on Eidsness and Fienhage

This is what Kris Baker of the Sabres prospects had to say about Fighting Sioux goalie Brad Eidsness and Fighting Sioux defenseman Corey Fienahage.

12 - Brad Eidsness, G, North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA), 2007 5th round (139th overall)

Leading the NCAA in minutes played through January, the freshman netminder walked into the starting gig in Grand Forks and demonstrated quick adjustment on the rugged WCHA learning curve. With inconsistency plaguing the Sioux early in the season, Eidsness has battled his way to an impressive 20 wins, earning WCHA Rookie of the Weeks honors three times while hanging among the top-5 in goals against and save percentage all season.

The reigning MVP of the Junior "A" AJHL, Eidsness plays a tight butterfly style with quick side-to-side movement, and has penchant for the big save. He's an excellent reader of the developing play, and with better rebound control, the 5'11 backstop has the ability to be a top-tier goaltender in the NCAA ranks as a sophomore.

20 - Corey Fienhage, RHD, North Dakota Fighting Sioux (WCHA), 2008 3rd round (81st overall)

Unlike his Sioux teammate Eidsness, Fienhage did not enjoy a developmental season of Junior "A" before hitting the collegiate ranks. Thought to be heading to Indiana (USHL) in 2008-09, Taylor Chorney's early departure to the Edmonton Oilers opened up the scholarship spot for the 6'3, 214-pound Fienhage to enter college immediately.

The jump from Minnesota high school to the WCHA takes some time, and Fienhage, 18, has struggled some with the pace of the game. Stout and aggressive with good foot speed, the athletic rearguard still made a rugged statement with 28 PIM in his nine appearances. The encouraging sign is the nature of the calls - six roughing minors, one high stick, one check from behind, a misconduct from a fight, and another for interference.

He wasn't intimidated, and he wasn't taking hooking and tripping calls as one would expect from an inexperienced defender. Aside from Weber, the former high school safety's fierce demeanor represents the best option for toughness in the Sabres pipeline.

So while on the surface the WCHA freshman may appear to be a disappointment to most Sabre fans, a season of limited exposure while letting the pace marinate in practice was almost foreseeable. Dressing in roughly a quarter of his teams contests, the rookie has earned the praise of coaches with his continued hard work in practices.

Michigan Tech is not a Cup Cake.

You have to love the blogger from the Red Star and Sickle. You have to wonder why the blogger from the Strib would even write that? No teams in the WCHA are pushovers, every game is a battle. Last weekend the 9th place team in the WCHA took out the 4th place team in the CCHA.

Roman is right Michigan Tech is going to clog up the neutral zone and make life miserable for the Gophers. Michigan Tech is going to pressure and get in the Gopher's face. The Tech Huskies are a physical team and are going to be playing for pride this weekend. There are also a lot of WCHA fans that are hoping the Real Huskies can take a bit out of the Golden Gophers. I think that if the Huskies had suffered so many devastating injuries they would have been fighting for home ice in the WCHA.

U men’s hockey: Tech not a cupcake, goalie and PairWise talk, etc.
By Roman Augustoviz --- Gophers coach Don Lucia, whose team is still in the hunt for a first-division finish in the WCHA, said his team will not take Michigan Tech lightly this weekend. The series is in Houghton, Mich.

“They have just been on the wrong side of a lot of one-goal games,” said Lucia, referring to the Huskies who are 1-18-7 in the WCHA. ”You look at how many overtime games they have played. … They don’t give up much and we will have to try to win some low-scoring games. That’s the way they are going to be. And I think we are comfortable in that, because that’s the way we have been involved all year long too.

“But we have to remain patient knowing, you know what, it’s probably going to get decided in the third period sometime.”

North Dakota High School All State

Here is the list for the North Dakota High School All State Hockey Team:

2009 Boy's All-State Team Announced:
F-Casey Purpur [G.F. Central]
F-Jake LaDouceur [G.F. Red River]
F-Patrick Anderson [Bismarck High]
F-Peter Orson [Fargo South]
F-Tyler Richter [Bismarck High]
F-Justin Moody [G.F. Central]
F-Riley Olson [Hazen/Beulah]
F-Russel Crary [G.F. Red River]
F-Bryce Schmitt [Minot]
D-Jake Axtman [Williston]
D-Danny Ray [G.F. Central]
D-Nick Romanick [Bismarck High]
D-Ryan Hills [Grafton/Park River]
D-Tyler Peterson [Bismarck High]
D-Dan Kovar [Bismarck Century]
D-Josh Hooey [Fargo South]
G-Scott Buchholz [Fargo South]
G-Darren Medler [Minot]
G-Seth Lang [G.F. Central]

Fighting Sioux coaches show.

(Click here for the broadcast)

Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol was on the Fighting Sioux coaches show at 43:45. First question out of the gate was about league expansion and coach Hakstol didn't have any information on it at all.

The next question out of the gate was about injuries and Coach Hakstol said, “That he talked to Derek LaPoint in the weight room and he is not coming back this season.” Coach Hakstol said Derrick is coming along in his recovery. Other than that he said that he really couldn’t comment on injuries and that basically everyone is banged up this time of year.

Tim Hennesy said, “I just got my ballot today for the all league voting and all that. I like Brad Eidsness, I think that Brad Eidsness should be a slam dunk for Rookie of the year. I don’t think it is negotiable. But the people I am talking to I don’t think he is going to be. In your mind is he the best rookie and done the most for his team that is on top of the league right now in the WCHA. Shouldn’t he, shouldn’t he be a slam dunk? Coach Hakstol said, he is pretty good. Coach Hakstol also said, “I am not campaigning or on a on a soap box for any of our players, that is not what our team is about.” Coach Hakstol said there are lots of good young players in our league.

Boucher goes Frazee.

Check out Zidlicky's goal, talk about getting a favorable bounce. I never thought I would see a goal from this far out again, at least not in the NHL. This was the game tying goal between the Wild and the Sharks. Brian Boucher does his best Jeff Frazee impression. The ice was really bad in the Shark Tank last night and this one just keeps on bouncing right on into the net.

INCH CHAT...

Here is the latest from the boys at INCH. First; call me a homer but I think UND is a little stronger than Denver right now, when the Pioneers get Tyler Bozak back then I think they are probably a little better than the Fighting Sioux.

Second; I don't see Walski playing this weekend, UND doesn't have the luxury of giving him another start, he played himself out of a starting job at the beginning of the season. I don't see how it would benefit UND in playing Walski. Based on the PWR numbers the Fighting Sioux can't afford to just throw games away. This is Brad Eidsnes's team and he has earned the Starting position on the merits of his play. Brad Eidsness give the Fighting Sioux the best chance to win this weekend. Again over the last twenty three games the Badgers and Sioux have spilt the series 11-11-1, In Madison the Sioux have gone 3-2 the last 5 games in Madison. Last season the Sioux were 2-1.

Third I could see the MTU Huskies winning a game against the Gophers this weekend. The Gophers have gone 2-4-2 in February and 6-8-2 since the turn of the year. It's the Huskies last weekend of hockey in Houghton, Michigan before they travel to Denver or Grand Forks, ND. Look for the Huskies to clog up the neutral zone and give the Gophers fits. I also expect the Huskies to hit the Gophers every chance they get.

Eric Fargo, ND: The Sioux have made another fabulous second half run. They have four lines contributing to the scoring. So what do the INCH guys think about UND chances to make the Frozen Four this year?

Jess Myers: If I were a betting man, I would not pick them to get to DC. Of the past five Sioux teams, this one is probably the deepest because the lack of a superstar (like Toews or Oshie) makes them harder to play, and kudos to them on a widely-expected MacNaughton Cup this weekend. But if I had to pick a WCHA team to get to the Frozen, I would pick Denver right now.
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KS (Minneapolis-for now): Since I'll be watching the next batch of stars tonight at Mariucci, I'll miss the UM/Tech game. Unless I ignore work-and watch the live scoring-I can only imagine what happens. Put me, and the rest of Gopher Nation at ease and tell me they get 4 this weekend and make some noise at the Final Five.

Jess Myers: I'm picking a split. The Huskies have not won a WCHA game since Halloween night, but they've been pesky at home lately, earning some nice ties with teams clearly more talented than them. Combine the emotion of senior night with the fact that not many of us are sold on this Gopher team lately and I see Minnesota bringing two points home on the long bus ride from the U.P.
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Dustin (Grand Forks): If North Dakota clinches the cup with their game Friday, does Dave Hakstol give senior goalie Aaron Walski a start for Saturday?

Jess Myers: Yes. It makes sense to give Brad Eidsness a physical and mental break heading into what could be a tougher-than-expected playoff series with Michigan Tech.
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Ryan (Grand Forks, ND): Do you think Ryan Duncan is an underrated player this year? He wasn't on the ballet for WCHA player of the year, but he is near the top in most statistics. That doesn't even take into account his leadership and all the hard work he brings to every shift on the ice that helped him win a Hobey a few years back. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Jess Myers: Duncan has been a pure joy to watch on the ice and, as a member of the media, to cover. I agree with you that for a guy with a Hobey on his resume, he's surprisingly overlooked a great deal. Part of that is his size, and part of it is by his own design, as Ryan is always quick to proclaim there are no superstars on the Sioux roster
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The GM's at the trade dead line.

Today I was listening to Puck Daddy Greg Wyshynski on XM-204 and he rated the NHL general managers at the trade dead line. I think Wyshynski's grade on Boston is is spot on. My next question is; anyone notice how the Bruins have done since the former General Manager Harry Sinden left the Bruins in 2006? The Bruins have gotten drastically better and have drafted well and have a stable full of good young players. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli is doing a bang up job getting the Bruins back into the hunt for a Stanley cup championship.

Boston Bruins: Acquired F Mark Recchi and a 2010 second-round pick from Tampa for D Matt Lashoff and F Martins Karsums; Traded F Petteri Nokelainen to Anaheim for D Steve Montador.

After swinging for the fences with Marian Hossa last year (and missing the ball), GM Peter Chiarelli managed like a man with a first-place team yesterday. Recchi's career resurgence now gives him a chance for a Cup, and there's no way that isn't going to energize him even more. Montador is another player already having an outstanding season, and a rather perfect fit for what the Boston blue line needed. Boston sniffed around some high-end deals (like one for Keith Tkachuk), but were unwilling to move a major asset like Phil Kessel. Maybe Lashoff becomes a top-pairing defenseman, and maybe Nokelainen finds his game with the Ducks; it won't matter if Recchi and Montador win a Cup for Beantown. GRADE: A-.

Now! Compare and contrast the two organizations. The Boston Bruins are in the playoffs will probably get the number one seed in the east unless they really fall apart. They also added more high end talent at the dead line for the playoff run. The Boston organization had players in their organization they could use to bargain with and make trades if they need to. Minnesota on the other hand is in a state of disarray. They are barely alive for the eighth and final playoff spot. I don't see a way the Minnesota Wild can manage to make the playoffs this season.

Minnesota also has nothing as far as prospects in their minor league system they can offer to other teams. Minnesota is team made of third liners and has a shortage of talent that can score goals and make plays. Yet they want to hold on to players like James Sheppard who show no sign of ever scoring goals this season or even in this life time. Like Archie said in a previous blog post that Doug Risebrough as managed to screw up two teams in a matter of a decade and smugly sat by and did nothing to better his team. Doug Risebrough should have gotten an F- and for his efforts should be shown the door.

The thing that is also a major head scratcher is that there are no players on the Wild roster that have been division one college hockey players. I want to know how Doug Risebrough can reside in a state with five division one hockey teams and not end up with one player that isn't a former college hockey player. You also have Wisconsin and North Dakota in neighboring states. Boston on the other hand has a roster stuff with former college players; Tim Thomas (Vermont), Phil Kessel and Blake Wheeler (Minnesota), Mark Stuart (Colorado College), Byron Bitz (Cornell), Matt Hunwick and Aaron Ward (Michigan), Chuck Kobasew (Boston College).

Minnesota Wild: Nada. While the team did ink goalie Niklas Backstrom to an extension before the deadline, it did jack and squat otherwise. Pending UFAs Marc-Andre Bergeron and Martin Skoula didn't move. The asking price for Marian Gaborik was too high, so he becomes a de facto deadline move when he rejoins the Wild lineup soon. While he deserves credit for not overpaying for, say, Olli Jokinen, General Manager Doug Risebrough was taken apart by The State of Hockey for his inactivity at the deadline. GRADE: C-.

INCH Podcast

Interesting podcast this week. (Click here for the lastest INCH podcast)

Couple of things. Jess Meyers starts off the podcast talking about the WCHA. First off IF UND wins the MacNaughton Cup this weekend in Madison, Wisconsin it would be the 14th MacNaughton Cup the Fighting Sioux have won. The Fighting Sioux currently have won 13 MacNaughton Cups on 11.

Quest For the Cup: UND enters the final weekend of the regular season gunning for its first MacNaughton Cup as WCHA regular season champions since 2003-04 and its first under fifth-year head coach Dave Hakstol.

UND has finished progressively higher in the WCHA standings each year under Hakstol, placing fifth in his first season in 2004-05, fourth in 2005-06, third in 2006-07 and second last season.

The Sioux have won the WCHA regular season championship 13 times in their history.

Jess Meyers If I get to D.C. and a WCHA team makes the Frozen Four I would feel fortunate.

Fire Doug Risebrough NOW!!!

I have had it. As a fan of the Wild I am disgusted as I watched Wild GM Doug Risebrough screw up another trade deadline and picked up nobody. This time the Wild didn't even go for a rent a player like Chris Simon. (click here for the article)

Risebrough said it was quiet for him all day. The team maintains that it will not trade its core players like Mikko Koivu and Brent Burns or its young talent like James Sheppard, Colton Gillies and Tyler Cuma.

Wow, James Sheppard has scored a grand total of 8 goals in two NHL seasons. Colton Gilies is lighting up the league as well scoring a grand total of 6 points. Tyler Cuma isn't even in the NHL yet he is in the OHL and has been hurt most of the year. Tyler Cuma has played 21 games scoring 1 goal and 8 assist for 9 points. Obviously Koivu and Burns are the future of the Wild. That being said if you can trade the current nobodies on the Wild to get players that will make an immediate impact on the Wild you have to pull the trigger and inactivity is unacceptable. Earlier this summer the Wild had a chance to get Olli Jokinen but Doug Riesbrough didn't want to give up Pierre-Marc Bouchard and James Sheppard. Are you kidding me? I would have made the deal in a heart beat. Bouchard is a soft perimeter player that has scored 14 goals 26 assists for 40 points. I can only dream how Olli Jokinen would thrive in system with fellow Finlanders Mikko Koivu and Antti Miettinen.

Here is the petition to sign agreeing with the fact that Doug Risebrough neeeds to be fired! (click here)

Who has more penalty minutes?

National Statistics
Penalty Minutes: Games PIM PIM/G
1 Ferris State 36 815 22.6
2 Michigan 36 730 20.3
3 Minnesota State 34 689 20.3
4 Minnesota 32 648 20.2
5 Quinnipiac 34 683 20.1
6 Rensselaer 34 679 20.0
7 Wisconsin 34 675 19.9
8 Boston University 34 674 19.8
9 Northeastern 34 654 19.2
10 Mercyhurst 36 690 19.2
11 Alaska Anchorage 32 608 19.0
12 Yale 29 542 18.7
13 Denver 34 629 18.5
14 Miami 34 622 18.3
15 North Dakota 36 657 18.2

I keep hearing how UND is a bunch of goons. So I looked at the national statistics and this is what I found. Interesting, but UND isn't a bunch of goons and is taking about two minutes less per game in penalty minutes than the golden boys from Minnesota. Breaking it down even further, the Fighting Sioux are taking less penalties than Michigan, Boston University, Yale, North Eastern and Denver University.

Last Regular Season Games (Sioux 7)

Last weekend saw UND grab the WCHA lead from DU by a point by taking 3-pts from CC, MSU-M took 3pts from UW, UM also took 3-pts from UMD, DU and SCSU split a pair, and UAA swept in-state rival UAF. As a side note 6 out of 8 league games went to overtime, last weekend.

The race for home ice comes down to the last games of the year. I know I will be glued to the TV's this weekend. The only thing that is certain is UND and DU will be hosting either MTU and UAA. The rest is a mess, for instance if MSU-M sweeps SCSU and UM and UMD get swept their would be a 4-way tie for 5th, or how about CC ties DU and SCSU, UMD, and UM sweep, UW gets swept, 4-way tie for 3rd. I don't even want to go there with trying to figure out those tie breakers. CC and UW are not even safe, if they lose their games, and UM, SCSU, and UMD sweep, the Tigers and Badgers would be on the road.



WCHA standings

1 North Dakota..................16-6-4...36
2 Denver.........................16-8-3...35
3 Colorado College.............12-9-6...30
4 Wisconsin.....................13-10-3..29
5 St. Cloud State................13-12-1..27
5 Minnesota......................11-10-5..27
5 Minnesota-Duluth...........10-9-7...27
8 Minnesota State............10-13-3..23
9 Alaska-Anchorage..........7-14-5...19
10 Michigan Tech.............1-18-7...9



#16 Minnesota at Michigan Tech
Minnesota kept their hopes alive for home ice with a three point weekend against Duluth, while MTU enjoyed the weekend off. MTU got a tie earlier in the year against the Gophers at Mariucci, can they do that at home or perhaps get win number two? In case you were wondering, the Huskies lone conference win was against UAA, on Nov. 1st. The Gophers started Kent Patterson last Friday and Kangas on Saturday, I wonder if Lucia will do the same this weekend? The Huskies could be the first team in WCHA history to record 8 ties in a season, with a tie. (Dare I say a pair of ties for numbers 8 and 9 on the season.) To MTU's credit, they have only been swept five times this season, not bad considering they only have one win. The Gophers need two wins if they really want to help their odds for home ice. Anything less than four points for UM and they are most likely on the road. I'm going with Tech for the record, a tie on Friday and UM on Saturday.


Alaska-Anchorage at #15 Minnesota-Duluth
UAA comes in riding a two game winning streak, both games they shut-out UAF. Earlier this season the Seawolves took 3-pts from the Bulldogs in Anchorage. UMD comes in on a three game winless streak (0-1-2) and saw their chance to improve their home ice standing slip away last weekend. With UAA carrying some momentum and UMD desperately wanting home ice this should make for a good series. However, the Seawolves are a respectable 5-7-1 away from Sullivan Arena and the Bulldogs are 10-2-3 at the DECC. UAA is going on the road the first round and I'm sure they would like to make the Bulldogs go on the road too. With UAA goalie Bryce Christianson getting back to back shut outs last weekend mean UMD star goalie Alex Stalock will try to equal that this weekend... I'm going to call this series a split.


#6 North Dakota at #19 Wisconsin
The Sioux continue to be red hot the second half, and the Badgers have cooled off, now win-less in their last four games (0-3-1). UW is 9-7-2 at home this season and UND is 9-5-2 away from Grand Forks. If the Sioux win on Friday they win the regular season WCHA title outright, which would be their 14th. Winning the WCHA isn't an "auto-bid" into the NCAA but it is almost a given. The Badgers need points to help their cause of sewing up home ice, I think two points would get them home ice. UND was only 1-12 on the man-advantage against CC last weekend. They need to capitalize more on the PP to really start putting teams away, but the upside is they can score five on five and don't rely on PP's to win. I'm going with a split this weekend, UND Friday and UW on Saturday.


#18 St. Cloud State home/at Minnesota State
I don't like the home and home series, they should only be played if it is the only two games the teams against each other all year. These teams last meet the first part of December, with the Huskies sweeping those games, 4-2, and 6-2. The Huskies are doing well going 6-3-1 in their past 10-games with quality wins over CC, UND, and DU in that stretch. The Maverick are 4-4-2 in their last 10-games with wins over UM and UW. With MSU-M having little chance of home ice, they can try and spoil SCSU's home ice chances this weekend. However, I don't see the Huskies losing two games in a row, they haven't done that since mid-January. I'll take the Huskies on Friday night and the Mavericks on Saturday, splitsville.


#13 Colorado College at #5 Denver (Sat Only)
The Tigers got a point last weekend in Grand Forks, that was what Pioneers got out of Grand Forks too. CC needs points to hold on to home ice and try to move up in the PWR to make the NCAA tourney. DU still might have a chance for the WCHA title if UND loses on Friday. But probably more important to them is trying to stay in the top 4 in the PWR to get a number one seed for the NCAA tournament. Needless to say that these two arch-rivals would like nothing more than to beat the tar out of the other one. In three meeting this year the edge goes to CC, 1-0-2, and will retain the coveted Gold Pan. I think we will another game just like the previous three, closely played and entertaining to watch, but in the end nobody will get the outcome they were looking for, here is to tie number three.

INCH 4 X 4

The latest INCH 4 X 4 is up. Interesting! From looking at these bracket predictions it would appear that Denver University would have the easiest chance of any WCHA team to make the Frozen Four. I am not so sure I would be that giddy at another change for the Fighting Sioux to play Michigan even if it's in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS West Regional
1. Michigan
2. North Dakota
3. Princeton
4. UMD

GRAND RAPIDS Midwest Regional
1. Notre Dame
2. Vermont
3. Miami
4. Air Force Academy

BRIDGEPORT East Regional
1. Northeastern
2. Denver
3. Yale
4. St. Lawrence

MANCHESTER Northeast Regional
1. Boston University
2. New Hampshire
3. Cornell
4. Bemidji State University

A couple of things.

This weekends games between the Fighting Sioux and the Wisconsin Badgers will be on television. That is good news for Fighting Sioux fans. I will have to tape on my DVR and watch the game when I get home from work on Friday night.

Games will be on TV

This weekend's games will be on FSSN, thanks to Nodak Mutual, REA, WDAZ and Midcontinent Communications. UND says to contact your local cable provider for details, but it's supposed to "be aired on most local and regional cable systems that normally carry FSSN hockey broadcasts (click here for the official press release)

----------------UPDATE----------------
Sprig from Sioux sports just posted the freq's for those that have satellite dishes.

Here it is, from Jamie at the REA:

Echostar 9 - 121 w
Ku Band - Downlink Frequency: 11840.1250 V
L Band - Downlink Frequency: 1090.1250 V
Symbol Rate 4.88
FEC 3/4

Most of us that follow the Minnesota Wild know that that Wild GM Doug Risebrough does not usually pick up free agents that have a back ground in college hockey, there have been a few exception but the current team has none with college hockey experience. Here is a little heads up to Risebrough if he doesn't get shown the door. Jordan Leopold is a unrestricted free agent after the season is over.

LEOPOLD RETURNS TO CALGARY

Jordan Leopold is returning to the Calgary Flames. The Colorado Avalanche sent Jordan Leopold to the Calgary Flames in exchange for blue-liner Lawrence Nycholat, prospect Ryan Wilson and a second-round draft pick in 2009.

Leopold has 20 points (6-14) and is a minus-10 in 64 games this season.

Nycholat, who has one assist in 14 games, had been picked up on waivers a day earlier.

The 28-year-old defenceman spent three seasons with the Flames before being dealt to Colorado in the Alex Tanguay trade in June 2006.

Leopold is earning $1.5 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Bruins trade Montador for Nokelainen, Mark Recchi a Bruin.

This trade kind of puzzles me, Boston has a ton of defensive players and must be trading one of their many defensemen(s) out of Boston if they are making this deal. Not too much going on league wide. Yet!

Bruins acquire Montador for Nokelainen...
Trade Deadline NHL.comBoston, MA – Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Steve Montador from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Petteri Nokelainen.

The 29-year-old Montador skated in 65 games this season for Anaheim, compiling four goals and a career-high 16 assists. The 6-foot, 211-pound Vancouver, BC, Canada native was signed as a free agent by the Ducks on July 11, 2008.

Before joining the Ducks, Montador played two-plus seasons for the Florida Panthers from 2005-2008 and three-plus seasons for the Calgary Flames from 2001-2005. A veteran of 355 career games played in the NHL, he has registered 18 goals and 49 assists. Montador has also appeared in 20 postseason contests- all during the 2003-2004 postseason -- and was a member of the Calgary Flames club that was defeated in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2003-2004.

Montador will be reunited with former teammates and current Bruins Andrew Ference, Chuck Kobasew and Stephane Yelle, who all played together with the Calgary Flames. In July of 2007, Montador and Ference traveled on a trip to Tanzania to benefit the Right To Play charitable organization. They visited schools and orphanages while serving as inspirational Right To Play participants and role models for the children in Right To Play programs.

Breaking News

The NHL Network and Sportsnet.ca is reporting that Boston Bruins have Acquired Mark Recchi from Tampa Bay for Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums...

Recchi played with Aaron Ward in Carolina in 2005-06 when the Hurricanes won the Cup. Recchi is the left-handed shot up front that could give them a boost on the power play. He is also a veteran presence they like.

The 41-year-old Recchi has scored 13 goals and 32 assists in 62 games this season.

"I have no idea," Recchi told TSN when asked what kind of role he'd play. "When I get there, the coaching staff will fill me in. I don't really care, to be honest. I'll do whatever role they ask."

UPDATE: Recchi and a 2010 second-round pick to Boston. Matt Lashoff and Martins Karsums to the Lightning. (link to the blog post)

Mike Commodore versus Matt Greene

Someone posted this over on Sioux Sports. I was wondering when was the last time two Fighting Sioux alumni went toe to toe in an NHL match up? It would probably be a good sports trivia question that could be up on the tv screen at a sports bar in Grand Forks somewhere.

While they were never team mates they probably have crossed paths during the off season at UND. Mike Commodore played for the Fighting Sioux from 1997-2000. Matt Green played for the Fighting Sioux from 2002 - 2005.